| a.
What is a Learning Disability? |
| b.
What are the types of Learning Disabilities? |
| c.
What causes Learning Disabilities? |
| d.
How can I determine if my child has a learning
disability? |
| e.
What do I do once my child is diagnosed? |
| f.
What is an IEP? |
| What
is a Learning Disability? |
LD is a disorder that affects people's
ability to either interpret what they
see and hear or to link information
from different parts of the brain.
These limitations can show up in many
ways: as specific difficulties with
spoken and written language, coordination,
self control, or attention. Such difficulties
extend to schoolwork and can impede
learning to read, write, or do math.
|
|
| What
are the types of Learning Disabilities? |
| LD
is a broad term that covers a pool
of possible causes, symptoms, treatments,
and outcomes. Because of this it is
difficult to diagnose or to pinpoint
the causes. Learning Disabilities
can be divided up into three broad
categories. These types of learning
disabilities include: |
|
|
Developmental
speech and language disorders |
|
|
Academic
skills disorders |
|
|
"Other"
a catch-all that includes certain
coordination disorders and learning
handicaps not covered by the other
terms |
| Each
one of these categories includes a
number of more specific disorders. |
|
| What
causes Learning Disabilities? |
No one knows what causes learning disabilities
as of now. There are too many possibilities
to pin down the cause of the disability
with certainty. A leading theory among scientists
is that learning disabilities stem from
subtle disturbances in the brain structures
and functions. It is more important, however,
that families not dwell on the causes but
rather move forward in finding ways to get
the right help.
|
| How
can I determine if my child has a learning
disability? |
Children reach certain "milestones"
of development: the first word, the first
step, and so forth. Both doctors and parents
are watching for these developmental milestones.
Learning disorders may be informally flagged
by observing significant delays in the child's
skill development. A 2-year delay in the
primary grades is usually considered significant.
While
children can be informally flagged by
using observation techniques, actual diagnosis
of learning disabilities is made using
standardized tests that compare the child's
level of ability to what is considered
normal development for a person of that
age and intelligence. Test outcomes depend
not only on the child's actual abilities
but on the reliability of the test and
the child's ability to pay attention and
understand the questions.
|
| What
do I do once my child is diagnosed? |
Students are generally tested for learning
disabilities by their school. It is important
for parents to stay abreast of each step
of the school's evaluation. Parents also
need to know that they may appeal the school's
decision if they disagree with the findings
of the diagnostic team. Creating a plan
for getting the right help after diagnosis
is very important. Because LD can affect
the child and family in so many ways, help
may be needed on a variety of fronts: educational,
medical, emotional, and practical.
|
| What
is an IEP? |
|
An Individualized Education Program
(IEP) is a written agreeement between
the parents and the school about what
the child needs and what will be done
to address those needs. In accordance
with the Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act (IDEA, formerly PL 94-142),
IEPs must be drawn up by the educational
team for the exceptional child and
must include the following: |
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The
student's present levels of academic
performance. |
|
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Annual
goals for the student. |
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Short-
term instructional objectives related
to the annual goals. |
|
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The
special education and related services
that will be provided and the extent
to which the child will participate
in regular education programs. |
|
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Plans
for starting the services and the
anticipated duration of services. |
|
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Appropriate
plans for evaluating, at least annually,
whether the goals and obejctives are
being achieved. |
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Transition
planning for older students. |
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Source:
Autism Society of America
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